The Toy Box Years: Is It August Already?

The Creators of the Toy Box Years

The creators of the Toy Box Years are my two beautiful daughters and wonderful, handsome soldier husband.

"Nani" (our oldest) is a 11 year old 6th grader who loves Taylor Swift, ballet, books, fashion designing and sewing. Ask her what she wants to be when she grows up and it changes daily to anything from "an artist" to "a teacher" to "a singer/dancer". Nani is also currently fighting a battle against brain cancer -- recently diagnosed in June 2016.

"Nudgie" (our youngest) is a very smiley, very happy, very giggly, very spirited 8 year old 3rd Grader who's favorite toys are anything that gives mommy an anxiety attack - ladders, stepstools, the climbing wall at the playground. Like her sister, she has a love of reading and coloring, loves gymnastics and still provides mommy lots of snuggle time!

"My Marine" is my high school sweetheart. We've been married over 20 years and met when we were 17. (You do the math....) His favorite toys are Blackhawk helicopters, the lawnmower, our steam cleaner, and microbrew beer bottles. My husband is also my hero in that he proudly serves his country as a Blackhawk crew chief (hence his favorite toy!). And need I say that there is nothing hotter than my man in uniform!

All About Me......

Once upon a time I had a career and worked in the corporate world. Once upon a time, I dreamed about leaving that all behind to follow my true calling -- being a wife and mommy.

The first part of my calling was fulfilled in 1995 when I married my Marine (now soldier) and my love. Little did I know that being a military wife would change me in so many ways and that because of that, I would have an extended family all over the world from Japan, to California, to North Carolina.

The second part of my calling took a little doing, but I finally achieved that dream in 2004 with the birth of our first child, followed 4 years later by her baby sister.

So now, when someone asks me what I do for a living - I simply smile and say proudly that I'm following my calling - I'm a mommy and a wife -- and I couldn't be HAPPIER -- I'm living in the Toy Box Years!!

Can someone please tell me where the summer went?

Last night I turned my calendar over to August and practically cried because my baby only has 3 more weeks of summer vacation before she starts FIRST GRADE!

Where has the summer gone? I didn't do nearly all the fun things I had planned. It's just been an "OK" summer here. Chalk it up to a combination of My Marine being gone all summer long and this stupid heat that has just been sucking the life out of me. I haven't really blogged all summer. My Facebook time has been limited. And to be honest -- I haven't missed it. I had no desire to write. It was just another thing on my to-do list.

Anyway, back to the fact that time is just slipping away in a blink of an eye. I hate my calendar. It's a reminder to me that my baby girl is growing up. But I still have 3 weeks left. 3 weeks where I can still make sure my girls have a fun summer. 3 weeks where hopefully My Marine will be home for a few days so that he can enjoy some of these summer days with our girls.

Now I'm off to reheat my coffee and see what the day will bring!

4 comments:

MaryAnne August 1, 2011 at 6:22 AM: Enjoy those three weeks!
Christy Killoran August 1, 2011 at 10:38 AM: Summer is going by way too fast! My kids don't start school until after Labor Day, so we have a bit more time.
Vivian Kirkfield August 1, 2011 at 11:57 PM: Hi Jennifer,
First of all, thanks for buying a copy of Show Me How! Maybe you will have some great activities to end the last few weeks of summer with. :)
I think everyone feels the same way...the summer has flown by, it has been so unseasonably hot here in Colorado, and I also have not been as faithful as I had been with my blog posts...I am hoping to get back to writing more frequently...I went from writing EVERY day to writing just once a week...I miss the writing and the connecting with others...but I just have not had the time with all of the book/children's reading and crafting events going on. I hope we can connect in person at some point in time. :)
Stephanie August 6, 2011 at 11:49 AM: Hi,
Found your blog while searching...yours is the first I found that I can relate to being a seasoned army wife. My hubby comes home next week and we'll have about a week before our first of three starts kindergarten. I hope you enjoy your last few weeks with your precious family as well!